WHO remembers the hippie age of the early 1960s?
The days when young people were attracted to flower power (symbols of peace, love and non violence); free love, communal living, organic food, natural remedies and the music from The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and others?
Max Henberle was born in Zurich, Switzerland, during that age.
At 16 he had long hair, wore flared trousers, embroidered clothing, beads and headbands and took the hippie trail hitchhiking, taking the train or bus, to Western Europe, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal.
His interest in spirituality led him to ashrams, learning meditation, Hinduism, Buddhism and other Eastern religions.
Max met his Australian wife, Janet, at Bamiyan Valley in the mountains in central Afghanistan, where the Taliban later on blew up several Buddha statues carved in the hillside.
They travelled back to Europe together dreaming of setting up a commune in Switzerland but it was too expensive.
“The hippie movement gained popularity in Australia and we attended the 1973 Aquarius Festival at Nimbin where thousands of young people gathered,” Max recalled.
Max returned to Switzerland before he emigrated to Australia in 1975.
“Janet and I were still keen on the commune and in 1978 we set up the Bowman community under “Tenancy in Common” on 365 acres,” Max said.
Max built an octagonal house in the commune of 11 houses, which comes under the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
Max is a retired teacher, having taught wood and metal work, agriculture, languages and just about every subject at high school.
He is an accomplished musician.
Janet worked as a nurse.
Today, Max and Janet are still living the dream of the hippie days.
The journey for Max, from Switzerland to Australia proves that sometimes the dreams of youth can grow into a way of life that lasts a lifetime.
By Kim TEOH
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